Category: Chinese craft

A Chinese wheelbarrow is a hand-pulled cart featuring two handles to pull or push it ahead. Ancient Chinese texts differ on who was the first person to invent the Chinese Wheelbarrow. There is a text that credits the invention to Ko Yu, a mythical figure in ancient China who is...

Chinese tassels are a popular element in Chinese culture, and we usually see them in their full glory during Chinese celebrations like Chinese New Year. However, did you know that these tassels hold meaning in Chinese culture and are not just for decorative purposes? If you’d like to know...

The development of keys by different communities arose from the desire to keep property safe. A well-locked house would be protected from invasion by burglars. The Chinese had their unique lock designs. However, their locks meant more than just protecting their houses. They also had lock charms to protect...

Zhuge Liang is credited with inventing the wheelbarrow in ancient China. Liang worked for the Hans state in the 3rd century AD. During the Hans state campaign against the state of Cao Wei, Liang invented the wooden ox to transport military supplies to the soldiers on the battlefield. Over time...

One of the most popular weapons used in ancient China was the crossbow, which contributed heavily towards the success of the Chinese states against foreigners and the supremacy of various Chinese empires. If you’re curious to know how these crossbows worked, what materials they were made of, what they...

Agriculture was a central practice among many communities in the past. To improve production, they invented different tools to aid them in covering the more extensive ground. In this article, we discuss the plough as designed by the Chinese. The Chinese used the plow to loosen and turn the...

Invented around the first century, the armillary sphere was used for millennia to calculate the position of different celestial bodies relative to one’s position on Earth. Although today it is considered to have crude accuracy, it nevertheless survives as a helpful teaching tool. What is an armillary sphere? An...

Besides their minimal and appealing aesthetics, bamboo steamers are considered one of the healthiest ways to prepare many meals, including dumplings, buns, fish fillets, chicken, vegetables, and sticky rice. Bamboo steamers are one of the earliest methods of cooking and reheating food. So, what is a bamboo steamer? Where...

This is a Chinese flute made of bamboo and is famous for its gentle, soft sound. The Xiao is pitched lower than the Dizi to produce a mellow and melancholic sound. What are xiao instrument called? This instrument is also called Dongxiao, where Dong means hole. In ancient Chinese, this...

The suona instrument, also called Laba,dida, or Haidi, is a woodwind musical equipment that produces a loud and magnificent sound. The tool is popular among the Chinese and is frequently used in music ensembles. What Is Suona? Suona was first introduced to China to inspire soldiers on the battlefield due...

Bamboo weaving is a craft that uses bamboo as the raw material. The craftsmen interlace bamboo strips into patterns using various weaving methods to form useful and decorative items.  What is bamboo weaving? It is a craft that originated in China. It involves the use of bamboo to make...

Since time immemorial, combs have always been an essential tool for grooming. Combs are among the oldest tools discovered by archaeologists, dating up to 5500BC. Who invented the hair comb – ancient Egyptians or Chinese The Egyptians were the earliest to invent a comb. They used them as a way...

Chinese people are known for their rich culture and history. Chinese magic mirror is one of the ancient Chinese arts that hold significant meaning for the people. To learn more facts about the Chinese magic mirror, this article will delve into what is a Chinese mirror, its history, the...

One of the best parts about ushering in a new year is the colorful fireworks that are set off into the sky. The loud sounds give us a touch of adrenaline which allows us to transition into the next year feeling so alive! Fireworks have been around for hundreds...

Chinese hair sticks and pins are used to hold buns in place. The sticks are called Ji or Fazan and were used by men and women. These sticks have a sharp end, and hair is coiled around them to make a perfect bun. Each pin has a unique name...

For centuries, Chinese scissors have been used to cut everything from silk to metal. The ancient manufacturing process of the Chinese scissors may lack a systematic record, but it has survived revolutions, wars, and communism. The blades have a hard and sharp bite due to the ancient technique of...

China is a country known for its rich history in so many things such as outfits, dances, music, and cuisines. China has also been the origin of many instruments, the rattle drum in this case. The Chinese rattle drum is an ancient instrument that evolved through the years and...

When you see the word snuff, you will automatically think of tobacco. The use of tobacco is widespread across the globe, but are you aware of the rich Chinese culture that involves snuff? A snuff bottle is a small container used to hold ground tobacco. The Chinese had beautiful...

The guqin is an essential part of China’s music history. The Chinese refer to playing a guqin as one of its four ancient arts. In the early 2000s, UNESCO identified guqin and its music as a World Cultural Heritage. A decade later, a guqin from the Song era sold...

Many people know the pipa as just a Chinese instrument that is played in Chinese opera orchestras. While this is true, the instrument also has a rich and beautiful history that many people don’t know about. The pipa has evolved over the years and what we see today is...